Central Michigan University Democrats had an unexpected guest at Monday’s “Meet and Greet with Representative Gary Peters.” But the guest was most welcome as Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer appeared to talk briefly at the Bovee University Center.

“I’m confident,” Schauer told a room packed with students and a few adults. “We’re tied in the polls and we’re just getting started.”

Schauer had a strong message for his opponent, Gov. Rick Snyder.

“You’ve seen these ads that say, ‘the Schauer is over.’ Well, I’ve got news for Rick Snyder, the ‘Schauer’ is just getting started,” he said, bringing a rousing round of applause. “The road to getting me elected and unseating Rick Snyder goes right through Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and Central Michigan University.”

Schauer made a pledge to visit all 83 counties in Michigan and so far he has covered 60.

“(The citizens) want an economy that works for them,” Schauer said after the meeting. “They see Rick Snyder’s economy working for a few, but eroding the middle class and creating a greater economic disparity in our state.”

Schauer continued his emphasis on education.

“I see anger about Snyder’s cuts to education, cuts to our public schools and seeing kids in more crowded classrooms,” Schauer said. “As much as Rick Snyder is trying to convince people that he is giving more money to schools, they see there has been a real cut when it comes to dollars per classroom. They see the key to a good job is a good education.”

As the son and grandson of public school teachers, education is Schauer’s number one priority.

“It’s the key to rebuilding our economy and our middle class,” he said.

Schauer also sees residents upset about taxes.

“They’re also very angry about the Snyder retirement tax, tax increases on working families, tax increases on low wage earners — all of them pay for a $1 billion (business) tax break even when companies send jobs overseas or eliminate jobs,” he said. “To me, it’s wrong, it’s unfair and it is not working for (citizens) and they’re ready for a change.

“This is a governor who campaigned as the ‘tough nerd focused on jobs.’ He is a governor who has been very divisive. He’s imposed ‘Right to Work for less,’” Schauer said. “States that have enacted it have seen their wages driven down for all workers.”

One battle on the horizon is the proposal to raise the minimum wage to more than $10 per hour.

“He opposes the minimum wage,” Schauer said. “One of my top priorities will be to raise the minimum wage in Michigan. Fundamentally, we need to have people to not only have jobs, but jobs that pay.”

Schauer also took on the governor regarding roads.

“Governor Snyder has failed on something that has been a top priority of his, each and every year since he’s been governor,” Schauer said about funding for roads. “I have a track record to point to when I was in my first term as a state representative in 1997-1998, as a Democrat. I worked with (Republican) Gov. John Engler to find the resources to fix our roads and bridges. It hasn’t been done since.”

Even as a U.S. representative, from 2009-2010, Schauer fought for roads.

“When I was in Congress I brought almost $900 million back to Michigan to help build our roads and bridges,” he said. “It is a quality of life issue and it is a competitiveness issue for Michigan. We need to press the re-start button on this issue.”

To restart the process, Schauer sees a need for bipartisanship.

“Democrats and Republicans need to work together and find a way to fund the rebuilding of our infrastructure in a fair and equitable way,” Schauer said. “The proposals I’ve seen from this governor have been raising taxes on the same individuals, middle class families he’s already taxed to pay for his (business) tax cuts. It is going to take businesses paying their fair share; those who use the roads, including heavy trucks, to pay their fair share. One thing is clear, this governor is completely ineffective in making progress on this priority.”